UA Grad Student Pursuing Love of Sport with Summer Program

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama graduate student Gennelle Chatman has one passion in life — athletics. She has played almost every competitive sport there is and can’t imagine doing anything other than building on that passion.

This summer, she will be one step closer to realizing that goal.

The 23-year-old Orlando native was recently selected to participate in the United States Olympic Committee’s FLAME program. FLAME — Finding Leaders Amongst Minorities Everywhere — is a highly selective program that provides diverse college and graduate-level students with a unique look into the world of elite sport.

This eight-day program offers a rigorous curriculum designed to increase knowledge of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movements. Accepted students participate in personal and professional development workshops in preparation for a career in sports.

Students have an opportunity to network with sport industry professionals involved in the Olympic movement, meet and network with U.S. Olympic Committee Executives, learn about goal setting, leadership and self-motivation from U.S. Olympians and Paralympians and more, said Dr. Ken Wright, professor in sport management at UA’s College of Human Environmental Sciences.

“I encourage my students to apply to the program because it’s a great opportunity to learn about the International Olympic experience and opportunities,” he said. Over the last six years, Wright has had 10 graduate students apply, five of whom were accepted.

Chatman had no idea what to expect when she applied. After a few weeks, she thought she didn’t get in, but while visiting Shanghai, China, with her mother, sister and aunt, she got the call.

“My sister silenced my phone when it started ringing because international calls can really cost a fortune,” Chatman said. “I just happened to look over and see that the call was from Colorado, and I panicked. I was yelling ‘That could be FLAME. Pick it up, pick it up!’ I redialed the number and Ross answered. My heart dropped then. What if I was making this long distance call for him to tell me no? Thankfully, he told me I was accepted. What a great way to end that trip.”

In addition to learning the intricacies of international sport administration and interacting with other motivated students, Chatman hopes to develop as a leader — something that will benefit her future educational and career aspirations.

Chatman will finish her master’s in sport management in August and then begin law school at UA.

She will pursue a joint Master of Business Administration with a focus on either international studies or general business, as well as a Juris Doctor.

Once she attains her educational goals, she will focus on her career goals. On her way to becoming an athletic director, Chatman said she will do whatever it takes to become a senior woman administrator and said she will one day launch her own full-service athletics firm.

“I am a lifelong athlete,” Chatman said. “I couldn’t see myself doing anything else in this life. Sport has a unifying quality that is really only matched by art and food.

“Sport brings certain groups together and can tear others apart. But every four years, nationalistic ideals are set aside in the interest of good, clean competition. There is a beauty that rings in that quality, and it has always touched my life.”